XXIV Old Buildings

Steven Thompson KC has a commercial chancery practice with a particular emphasis on civil fraud, company and joint venture disputes, insolvency and aviation matters. He regularly appears in the Business and Property Courts at the Rolls Building, principally in the Commercial Court, as well as before courts and tribunals overseas.

Steven is known for his clear, pragmatic advice and collaborative approach, working closely with clients, solicitors and the wider legal team throughout the course of a dispute. Clients have said “Steven is very good with clients, he has a very accessible manner, and he is real pleasure to work with”. He is recognised as a persuasive advocate and accomplished cross-examiner, combining careful preparation with powerful courtroom advocacy, with clients reporting “Steven is terrific as he’s strategically astute, very thoughtful and really creative when handling difficult issues. He has a clarity of expression that makes difficult concepts seem straightforward.”

He has particular experience in the first instance and appellate courts of the British Virgin Islands, the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Cayman Islands, where he has appeared regularly since being first admitted in 2000, 2010 and 2014 respectively.

He also appears before the courts of Bermuda and the Abu Dhabi Global Market in substantial shareholder and fraud disputes, and has advised and assisted in matters in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, the Turks & Caicos Islands, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland.

Steven is regularly instructed in international arbitrations and related court proceedings in the Far East, Dubai and London. He has also been nominated, appointed and sat as sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration that proceeded to a full hearing and final award.

For over a decade, Steven served on the International Committee of the Bar Council, including as Chair from 2019 to 2021. He was formerly Chair of the Bar’s China Interest Group.

Call: 1996 | Silk: 2015

Advocate of the Dubai International Financial Centre

Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Virgin Islands)

ChBA (The Chancery Bar Association)

COMBAR (The Commercial Bar Association)

BA (Hons) St. John’s College, Cambridge University (Natural Science)

Dip. Law City University, London